Let me be on record that I loved Times 9039, better known as last Saturday’s puzzle, despite not fully getting one clue, and entering a wrong solution for another. Three of the clues were Hall of Famers, I reckon. Namely:

Wounded under fire, finally survive = ENDURE

Parking in lashing rain behind road hazard? = HAIRPIN BEND

Pop group I sample – that’s stealing = BANDITRY

A trio supremo, in my book. The clue that flummoxed involved a stew I never knew – DAUBE – while my wrong solution, I’m prepared to argue, is an alternative answer. See what you think:

Go over to Rome in haste for coat? = FLEECE (and my bid, MERINO)

Was I wrong to think merino – yes or no? For more wordy chats and conundrums like these, join the solving ranks as we battle to knock off the coming week of Times crosswords, appeairing in The Australian. Though today’s puzzle – 9040 – has a hard act to follow.

Welcome to the new forum. Looks scary? It’s not. Feels iffy? It ain’t. The DisQus platform is here to block spam and lend us more chat options. That’s all. Please note, you don’t have to create a DisQus account to make a comment. If you do, however, it will speed your future visits. Be assured no details are abused, misused or reused. Let’s fight spam as one, and get back to the grand conversation. Thanks, DA

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